PubliCalendar: Sawant Q&A and Pioneer Square Then and Now

Today's picks for civic nerds.

If you have a question about the 15 Now Campaign, tonight is your chance to ask it.

The 37th District Democrats are launching a new Q&A series with Seattle City Council members, and first up is newly elected Kshama Sawant. She'll be on hand at tonight's meeting to discuss her agenda and answer questions.

Historic Pioneer Square is becoming a hot spot, with new shops, restaurants, and housing appearing all the time. As part of Seattle Architecture Foundation's "Urban Character" lecture series, a panel will discuss community growth, re-inventing neighborhoods, and how to maintain history among new developments.

The Then & Now Pioneer Square panel includes Matthew Dillon, owner and chef of Bar Sajor and The London Plane; architect Mark Hinshaw; Karen True of the Alliance for Pioneer Square; and more.

Don't forget this event from our Advance Notice files: Dr. Robert Gilman, former astrophysicist, uses his research on 16,000 years of human history to draw conclusions about the sustainbility of our planet, and he believes we have reason to be hopeful. Find out why, and how, looking at the past can help us in the years to come.

Also from the Advance Notice file: Ignite! Seattle is a public-speaking series, started in 2006, that offers 5-minute presentations on just about any topic you can think of—consider them local, time-limited TEDtalks.

With only five minutes and a slideshow limited to 20 rotating slides, presenters will cover a range of topics. Some of last November's talks covered Shakespeare, Google Glass, food poisoning, and angry brides.

The night begins with a networking event at 7 before presentations start at 8.

Wanna meet with city staff to discuss sustainability in Seattle? The newly launched Community Climate Forums should provide just that: an opportunity for grassroots organizations and organizers to meet with leadership and discuss initiatives for making Seattle a greener and healthier city.

The first forum is February 25, moderated by Jill Simmons, the definitely-on-the-same-page-as-you director of the Office of Sustainability and Environment. City council members Sally Bagshaw and Mike O'Brien, as well as other city staff, will also be a part of the forum.